II High-priority research projects

A) Research carried out as part of Norwegian expeditions

Based on Norway's overall national objectives, logistic and financial constraints and the desire to promote interdisciplinary projects aimed at process-orientated studies, the Research Council of Norway recommends the following target areas for research conducted as part of the Antarctic expeditions headed by Norway from 1997 to 2003:

Biology

Krill are key species in the Antarctic ecosystem. Although few fish feed on krill, they are the main prey for many species of marine mammals and a number of species of sea birds. Krill's grazing habits affect primary production and the stocks of smaller crustaceans. Recent investigations suggest that krill demonstrate irregular distribution patterns and appear to be associated with the drift ice belt. Krill research will call for considerable logistic resources and, due fiscal constraints, Norway is not likely to be in a position to make significant contributions to krill research in the Antarctic. On the other hand, Norwegian researchers should be able to contribute by studying marine mammals and sea birds that prey on krill.

To understand more about the distribution of krill in relation to the drift ice belt, Norway's biological research in the Antarctic should, therefore, be concentrated on studying (i) the seasonal distribution, (ii) the demography and (iii) the food habits of krill-eating species of marine mammals and sea birds.

Such research would fit into existing international projects such as the SCAR - EASIZ (Ecology of the Antarctic Sea-Ice Zone) programme and the SCAR - APIS (Antarctic Programme on Icebreeding Seals) programme, both of which are part of the SCAR/IGBP Global Change initiative and closely associated with the CCAMLR and SCOR-Globec programme.

Climate research

Glaciology

The ultimate objective of all glaciological research in the Antarctic is to improve understanding of the climate, past and present, in order to determine how the ice sheets will respond to the present and future climate. The historical aspect largely focuses on analysing core samples extracted from the ice, while the future aspect involves studying changes in the glacial mass balance and the dynamics of the Antarctic ice cap. The 'European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica' (EPICA), which began in 1996, is one of the largest scientific programmes currently in progress in Antarctica and is the largest ever European Antarctic glaciology project. The programme will begin drilling at Dome Concordia in the French sector during the 1997/98 season and then continue in Queen Maud Land in 2002/03. The choice of drilling site and the construction of a purpose-built airstrip in Queen Maud Land will require detailed studies of mass balance and glacial dynamics. Norway has long-standing traditions and considerable expertise in this field.

The glaciological research performed on Norwegian expeditions should, therefore, be focused on glacial dynamics and mass balance in the areas of Queen Maud Land that are likely sites for EPICA, and on studies of mass balance and glacial dynamics in the Jutulstraumen and adjacent glacial masses.

Such research will make use of Norway's TROLL station and form a natural part of international programmes such as EPICA and GLOCHANT (Global Change and the Antarctic).

Paleoclimatology

The polar areas exert a strong influence on the global climate and the thick layers of sediment on the continental margin around Antarctica hold important climatic records that can be analysed by core sampling.

Norway's paleoclimatological research should, therefore, be concentrated on studies of variations in climatic conditions in the Tertiary and Quaternary periods. It is particularly important to study how fluctuations in the size and thickness of the ice cap have affected sedimentation on the continental margin, the formation of bottom water and circulation patterns in the oceans. It is also essential to determine whether the climate in the Antarctic has experienced the same type of rapid, frequent changes as those experienced in the northern hemisphere.

This type of research would complement the EPICA programme, a number of SCAR programmes, the IGBP - Global Change Programme and/or the planned Ocean Drilling Programme in Antarctica.

Physical oceanography

Bottom water formation in the Antarctic has a strong impact on the global climate and plays a crucial role in oxygenating the oceans of the world. Bottom water formation in the Weddell Sea is closely related to the general patterns of water circulation in the oceans and ocean water's interaction with glacial ice and the atmosphere.

Oceanographic research conducted on Norwegian expeditions should be concentrated on studies of general current patterns and the processes that lead to deep convection, including the interaction between sea, ice and atmosphere in King Haakon VII's Sea, where the Maud Rise, located in the eastern part of the Weddell Gyre, is one of the most interesting places for studying deep convection from the surface.

Surveying and monitoring activities

• As claimant to Queen Maud Land, Norway has a responsibility for surveying the area, both topographically and thematically. The Norwegian Polar Research Institute is in charge of Norway's national commitments regarding surveying in the Antarctic. This work should continue in close collaboration with the other parties that have interests in Queen Maud Land (South Africa, Japan, etc.).
• Norway's participation in the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Programme (CEMP) is of particular interest in the light of Norway's management responsibilities. The CEMP focuses on identifying significant changes in the Antarctic Ocean ecosystem and on distinguishing changes due to the harvesting of natural resources from those ascribable to natural causes. Top predators' access to krill is of particular interest to CEMP and several species of sea birds and marine mammals have been identified as being important in this respect. Norway ought to take part in CEMP cooperation and, in that context, to establish a station on Bouvet Island to monitor stocks of fur seals and penguins. The establishment of such a station would bridge a significant gap in the global community's cooperative monitoring of the sub-Antarctic islands. Efforts should be made to establish technical and logistic cooperation with South Africa.
• One of Norway's objectives should be to contribute to joint international climate monitoring and weather forecasting programmes by setting up automatic synoptic weather stations at the TROLL base in Queen Maud Land and on Bouvet Island.
• The Norwegian expeditions should collect material to help monitor pollution in Antarctica.

B) Other Norwegian research activities related to Antarctica

Climate research

Norway has long-standing traditions in the study of bottom water formation and the paleoclimate on the continental shelf in the southern part of the Weddell Sea. More recently, Norwegian scientists have been engaged in glaciological research on the Filchner Shelf. However, this research is extremely demanding in terms of logistics. Recognising Norway's commitment to focusing on Queen Maud Land, the Research Council of Norway recommends that Norwegian research in the southern part of the Weddell Sea be continued through Norwegian participation in the expeditions of other countries.

Cultural artefacts

Cultural artefacts are important historical material. Norwegian artefacts in the Antarctic are mainly related to whaling and the geographical exploration of the area. In most cases, they are located far from Queen Maud Land. The continued investigation into cultural history and the establishment of effective regulations for the protection and management of Norway's cultural heritage in the Antarctic and the sub-Antarctic islands should, therefore, be based on international cooperation, and on support for Norwegian participation in the expeditions of other countries.

Social sciences

The principal legal and the social science problems are those related to the development of the Antarctic Treaty System. The enactment and implementation of the 1991 Protocol for Environmental Protection are important in this context. It is important to analyse trends in the regulations governing tourism, the rules for liability in the event of environmental damage, and the methods used for environmental impact analyses. To date, on behalf of the Research Council of Norway, the Norwegian National Committee on Polar Research has handled the assessment of applications for participation in Antarctic research and ranked priorities. The Norwegian Polar Research Institute, for its part, has handled the practical and logistic aspects of the Norwegian Antarctic Research Expeditions (NARE). Cooperation between these two bodies should be continued.